If your breastfed baby is showing signs of discomfort like gassiness, fussiness, or eczema, you may be wondering if cutting dairy out of your diet will help. There are a few quick answers to this common question that new mothers have:
Quick Answer 1: It may help if your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy
If your baby has an allergy to the proteins in cow’s milk, then yes, eliminating dairy from your diet may improve their symptoms. About 2-3% of babies have a cow’s milk protein allergy. Signs include excessive crying, refusing to nurse, blood in the stool, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, hives, or eczema flare-ups.
Quick Answer 2: Cutting dairy takes 2-4 weeks to see an improvement
It can take 2-4 weeks of removing all dairy from your diet before you notice a difference in your baby’s symptoms. This is because it takes time for the proteins to clear from your breastmilk. Be patient and stick with a strict dairy-free diet to determine if it helps.
Quick Answer 3: Talk to your pediatrician first
Before removing dairy from your diet, check with your pediatrician. They can help determine if your baby’s symptoms are related to a dairy intolerance or another condition. Your doctor may recommend an elimination diet under medical supervision to test for food allergies.
Is it normal for babies to be fussy and gassy?
It’s very common for babies to be fussy, gassy, and have eczema flares – and it doesn’t necessarily mean they have a food allergy. All babies go through periods of fussiness due to gas pain, growth spurts, overtiredness, and other developmental phases.
However, if your baby’s symptoms seem excessive, appear immediately after nursing, or they have blood in their stool, it may indicate an intolerance. Here are some signs of normal baby behavior vs. potential dairy intolerance:
| Normal baby behavior | Potential dairy intolerance |
|---|---|
| Occasional spit up | Forceful vomiting after nursing |
| Gassiness that comes and goes | Excessive crying from gas pain |
| Short-lived eczema flares | Severe, chronic eczema |
| Fussiness during growth spurts | Inconsolable crying after nursing |
What are the signs of a cow’s milk protein allergy?
Here are some of the most common signs that your breastfed baby may have an allergy to the cow’s milk proteins passing through your breastmilk:
- Excessive crying and colic symptoms
- Refusing to nurse or difficulty nursing
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Forceful vomiting, sometimes projectile
- Watery, explosive diarrhea
- Congestion, runny nose, coughing
- Hives, rash, or eczema flare-up
- Wheezing or other signs of anaphylaxis
Symptoms typically appear immediately after nursing or within 1-2 hours. If you notice your baby reacting poorly after you consume dairy, it may indicate an intolerance.
How does a dairy intolerance develop?
A dairy intolerance in breastfed babies occurs when their immature digestive systems cannot properly break down the proteins in cow’s milk. Here’s how it happens:
- The breastfeeding mother consumes dairy products containing cow’s milk proteins like casein and whey.
- These proteins pass into her breastmilk in intact form.
- When the baby drinks the breastmilk, their gut cannot fully break down the proteins.
- Their immune system reacts to the proteins as foreign invaders, triggering inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, and other allergy symptoms.
Any dairy product containing cow’s milk proteins can cause a reaction, including milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ghee, cream, ice cream, and baked goods made with milk.
Do dairy intolerances go away? When can baby have dairy?
In most cases, cow’s milk protein intolerances resolve on their own by around age 1-2 when a baby’s digestive system matures. By age 3, most children can tolerate dairy without issue.
Here is the usual timeline for reintroducing dairy after a dairy-free period:
- 9-12 months: Talk to your pediatrician about a challenge test to see if baby reacts to dairy. If no reaction, gradually reintroduce.
- 12 months: Most babies can tolerate whole milk yogurt and cheese.
- 18 months: Most babies can handle milk and other dairy products.
- By 3 years: Most dairy intolerances fully resolve.
Go slowly with reintroduction and watch for any reactions. Some children do have a lifelong dairy allergy requiring avoidance.
How do I know if my breastmilk is dairy-free?
It typically takes 10-14 days of strict dairy elimination for cow’s milk proteins to clear out of your breastmilk. But traces may remain for up to 4 weeks in some cases. Here are some signs your breastmilk is dairy-free:
- Your baby’s symptoms have substantially improved
- Nursing sessions are peaceful and comfortable
- No more blood or mucus in stool
- Diaper rash has cleared up
- Eczema patches have stopped spreading and started healing
If your baby’s symptoms have significantly reduced or resolved, it’s a good indication your milk has cleared. Some residual minor symptoms may remain. An allergist can test your breastmilk for dairy proteins if you need definitive confirmation.
Tips for dairy-free breastfeeding
Cutting dairy from your diet can be challenging but is doable with some adjustments. Here are some tips:
- Read labels carefully. Dairy hides in many packaged foods and sauces. Look for milk, cheese, whey, casein, lactose and other dairy-based ingredients.
- Focus on fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats. Build your diet around unprocessed foods that are naturally dairy-free.
- Choose non-dairy milks. Opt for unsweetened varieties like almond, oat, soy, coconut, rice or hemp milk.
- Ask for no-dairy meals when eating out. Many restaurants offer dairy-free options or can modify dishes.
- Enjoy plant-based yogurts, cheeses and ice cream. Many delicious dairy-free alternatives exist.
- Take a daily calcium supplement. Ensure you still get enough calcium for your needs.
With some creativity, you can craft nourishing dairy-free meals. Support groups can also provide recipe ideas and encouragement.
Can cutting soy help too if dairy-free isn’t working?
For some babies with food intolerances, avoiding both dairy and soy may provide relief. Soy can also be an allergenic food for babies.
If your baby’s symptoms have not improved after 3-4 weeks of a dairy-free diet, trying an elimination diet that excludes soy as well can be beneficial. Talk to your pediatrician or an allergist for guidance.
Signs your baby may also react to soy include:
- Symptoms have not substantially improved dairy-free
- You have replaced dairy with many soy-based products
- Your baby seems gassy and fussy after you consume soy
- Eczema, congestion and other symptoms persist
Soy milks, cheeses, yogurts, meats, and other products contain soy proteins that some babies cannot tolerate. Going dairy-free and soy-free for a trial period may help identify multiple food sensitivities.
Tips for avoiding soy
- Use alternate non-dairy milks like almond, coconut or oat milk
- Look for soy-free versions of yogurt, cheese, ice cream and meats
- Read labels closely to spot hidden soy ingredients like soy protein, lecithin, etc.
- Eat unprocessed whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts and healthy fats
Conclusion
Eliminating dairy from your diet can greatly improve symptoms for babies with a cow’s milk protein allergy. It may take 2-4 weeks to see results, so be patient. Work with your pediatrician for guidance and reintroduction timelines. Combining dairy avoidance with eliminating other sensitizing foods like soy may help if dairy elimination alone doesn’t resolve symptoms. With careful meal planning and label reading, you can manage a dairy-free and soy-free diet for your breastfed baby. Within the first few years, most children outgrow milk and soy intolerances.